Dr. O. M. Akinosun
Head of Department
BACKGROUND
Chemical Pathology (a.k.a. Clinical Chemistry or Clinical Biochemistry) is an applied science that deals mainly with the study of alteration in the body’s chemical composition and the biochemical mechanism that lead to disease. It comprises of several rapidly advancing disciplines of which analytical chemistry, biochemistry/molecular biology, clinical medicine and pathology are the most important.
The Department of Chemical Pathology UCH, Ibadan, started in a one-room Biochemistry Laboratory in the Pathology department of the General Hospital, Adeoyo in 1948. At the time, the primary focus of the Department was the provision of routine Clinical Biochemistry tests to complement the clinical facilities at the hospital and for the teaching of clinical students. Between 1948 and 1951, the laboratory was under the general supervision of Dr. Silvera who was the Head of Pathology. In 1951, Dr C. Edozien took over the development of the laboratory and later supervised its movement to its present location at the University College Hospital, Ibadan in 1958. Dr. Edozien was appointed the first Professor and Head of the Department in 1961.
The Department has developed over the years and has pursued active recruitment exercises. It has also carried out productive staff development programmes while impacting on students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Normal laboratory values of clinical importance were clearly defined for this environment and several new areas of study including immunology were opened up. Other areas of distinction that have featured prominently are biochemical aspects of Nutrition, Endocrinology, Toxicology, Reproductive Biomedicine and Nuclear Medicine including radionuclide studies.
S/N | Name | Period of Headship |
1. | Prof. J.C. Edozien | 1961-1967 |
2. | Prof. H. McFarlane | 1968-1969 |
3. | Prof. B.K. Adadevoh | 1970-1973 |
4. | Prof. B.O. Osunkoya | 1973-1976 |
5. | Prof. D.A. Olatunbosun | Ag. Head 1976-1979 Head 1981-1984 |
6. | Prof. A.I.O. Williams | Ag. Head 1977-1980 |
7. | Dr. J.O. Bolodeku | Ag. Head 1984-1986 |
8. | Prof. B. Osotimehin | Ag. Head 1986-1988 Head 1988-1990 |
9. | Prof. Grace Oladunni-Taylor | Ag. Head 1990-1991 Head 1991-1994 |
10. | Prof. Bola O.A. Osifo | 1994-1997 |
11. | Prof. L.S. Salimonu | 1997-2000 |
12. | Prof. E.O. Agbedana | 2000-2003 |
13. | Dr. K.S. Akinlade | Ag. Head 2003-2005 |
14. | Dr. (now Prof.) O.G. Arinola | Ag. Head 2005-2007 |
15. | Prof. F.A.A. Adeniyi | 2007-2010 |
16. | Prof. E.O. Agbedana | 2010-2015 |
17. | Prof. O.G. Arinola | 2015-date |
A peculiarity in the headship of the Chemical Pathology Department is that a Clinical Consultant must be appointed to serve as the Clinical Head of Department, when the substantive head chosen by the University is not medically qualified. Thus, the underlisted represent the Clinical Heads that the Department has since had.
S/N | Name | Period of Headship |
1 | Prof. A.O. Akanji | 2000-2003 |
2 | Dr. K.S. Akinlade | 2003-2005 |
3 | Dr. O.M. Akinosun | 2005-2010 |
4 | Dr. F.M. Abiyesuku | 2010-2014 |
5 | Dr. K.S. Adedapo | 2014-2017 |
6 | Dr. O.M. Akinosun | 2017-till date |
Currently, the department has a mix of 5 Clinical / Honorary Consultants and 5 Specialist Advisers.
The Postgraduate Academic Training Programme in Chemical Pathology
The history of postgraduate academic training in Chemical Pathology dates back to the mid- sixties when 3 candidates were enrolled (1 candidate for MSc and 2 candidates for PhD). They all successfully completed their courses and rose up to the level of professors in their respective areas of subspecialty. As at today over 35 doctoral degrees and over 140 Master’s degree including Master of Philosophy has been awarded.
Additionally, a WHO research and training centre in Immunology was established in the department in 1965 and a total of 32 candidates took the diploma certificate course. This continued till 1972 when the centre was taken over by the University of Ibadan. The Postgraduate Diploma course in Immunology however, folded up when the MSc degree in Chemical Pathology commenced in the Department and Immunology became a component of this new program.
Currently, the areas of research interest of the academic members of staff comprising of 5 Professors, 6 Senior Lecturers, 3 Lecturer I and 3 Lecturer II are Metabolic Syndrome and Lipid disorders, Immunology, Toxicology, Micronutrient Pathobiology, Antioxidant and Redox signaling. Others are Endocrine and metabolic disorders, Chemical carcinogenesis and Nuclear medicine management of chronic diseases and cancer to mention but a few.
Clinical Activities
The department supports the Hospital in the area of routine biochemistry with over 50 tests daily, covering Electrolyte, Urea and creatinine, Liver function tests, Hormonal analyses Tumour markers, Thyroid function and lipid function tests. The department has over 35 laboratory Scientists and over 35 technical and clerical staff to continue the good tradition of serving the hospital in routine and emergency biochemistry tests. The Hospital also has a Metabolic Research Ward where dynamic testing on Glucose tolerance and Endocrine challenge tests are carried out.
As part of the achievements of the Department, Prof. J.I. Anetor was appointed as a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition (FACN). He was also appointed as the Editor in Chief of the Southern African Training Academy (SATA) journal. (African Journal of Laboratory Medicine and Biomedical Research). Finally, he was appointed a member of the Committee of Traceability in Laboratory (C-TLM) of the Scientific Division of the International Federation of Clinical and Laboratory Medicine.